Perfect Tasmania

You don’t have to venture far from your hotel to find inspiration in Hobart, whether you’re exploring the harbour or easing into one of the city’s applauded galleries and wine bars. Save room for your Welcome Dinner, enjoyed in the company of your fellow adventure-seekers.

Your morning excursions delve deep into many of the things that make Hobart great: the Botanical Gardens, historic Battery Point and the Cascade Brewery. End on a literal high at Mt. Nelson Lookout, offering dizzying views over the city. From alpaca throws to woodwork, Salamanca Market unites Tassie talent. Grab a coffee and navigate stalls, wedged alongside the precinct’s historic sandstone warehouses.

Waterfalls, lakes and ancient moonscapes – today is a journey of contrasts. Not to mention soul revival. Exhale amid the forest enveloping Russell Falls in Mt. Field National Park. Forget your worries at Lake St. Clair, the deepest of its kind in Australia. Sigh as you skirt the World Heritage-protected Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Then revel in the serenity of Strahan. You’re overlooking Macquarie Harbour, seven times the size of Sydney Harbour.

No day that involves a cruise is a bad day. Even better if it’s the deep, dark waters of the Gordon River. Soak up the silence of this untouched wilderness area en route to Sarah Island, Tassie’s oldest convict settlement; today, haunting ruins have been reclaimed by nature. Your commute toward immense Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair National Park visits Rosebery – tagline: “welcome to the rainforest, don’t complain about the rain” – and tiny Tullah, population 165.

At the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain is all moss-covered ancient rainforests and deep river gorges, snow-tipped peaks, wild alpine moorlands and glacial lakes – case in point Dove Lake, where you’ll likely spot Bennetts wallabies, echidnas and pademelons. Pause at Waldheim Chalet, once the home of Gustav and Kate Weindorfer, the duo pivotal in the park’s formation.

Tasmania has its fair share of award-winning gin and whisky distilleries, as well as small boutique breweries. Among them is a seaside tap house found in the petite town of Penguin. If there’s a place with a cuter name, we’re yet to locate it on a map. Sit back and enjoy a tasting paddle of local brew while taking in the views overlooking glorious Bass Strait. Continue your palate expansion at Mount Gnomon Farm. Farmer Guy Robertson is as passionate about his orchard as he is the cider he makes. Sip your way through a Be My Guest lunch. Continue to quirky Sheffield, the ‘Town of Murals’ and through the Meander Valley to Launceston.

Prepare for goosebumps – Cataract Gorge is humbling. Even more remarkable is the fact that this enormous cavern is just a few minutes’ walk from the heart of Launceston. Explore at your leisure. By the time you reach Josef Chromy Wines, you’ll have worked up a thirst. We’ve got you covered. This afternoon is yours: an optional cruise along the Tamar River, perhaps?

You’ll smell Bridestowe Estate well before you arrive – this lavender farm welcomes with soothing aromas, and addictive flavours in the form of lavender ice-cream. Moving moments await at Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, a series of trees carved with sculptures as an homage to fallen WWI soldiers. It’s a poignant reminder just how lucky we are to have Tasmania’s scene-stealing landscapes to gaze over. Be sure to head out tonight to catch a glimpse of the little penguins that call Bicheno home.

There’s a reason this part of Tasmania takes home top honours for its beaches – they were made for postcards. The brilliant blue ocean follows you through Cape Tourville’s virgin eucalypt forests, with golden beaches as far as the eye can see. Soak in the beauty of the breathtaking Freycinet Peninsula on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that contributes to the preservation of its wildlife. You’ll cruise past granite coastline, towering pink cliffs of the Hazards range, beaches fringed by dense bush, and the gentle shores of Coles Bay.

This morning, the GPS is set for the historic township of Richmond; explore the convict-built goal and bridge or browse the quaint boutique shops in town. Next, join us for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Risdon Cove. Kipli Takara (meaning food walk) is an immersive experience where guests are invited to walk the culturally rich landscape with palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) guides across this abundant natural pantry that was returned to Tasmanian Aboriginal ownership in 1995. You will be treated to a guided walk of this unique property, hearing about the history and current story of the area. Along the way guests are able to taste the native bush tucker currently in season and get a first-hand glimpse into how palawa continue to enjoy cultural foods and undertake culturally-centred land management across lutruwita/Tasmania. This experience includes a unique tasting of local, native flavours. This evening is at your leisure in Hobart.

While the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site has a grim convict history, you wouldn’t know it today – the countryside is all rolling green fields and ocean views. Only the place names give its heritage away: cruise around the Isle of the Dead, glimpse rugged sea cliffs from Pirate’s Bay Lookout, and veer past Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole. Tonight is at your leisure – we can recommend any number of stellar restaurants.

There’s something about Tasmania’s capital that encourages life in the slow lane. You’ll quickly fall into step today, yours to spend as you will. Perhaps add on a Bruny Island cruise to spot playful sea lions and ogle Australia’s highest sea cliffs? Or enjoy a bird’s-eye view on a scenic flight down to the great Southwest? Or get your cultural fix with a visit to the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery.

If you can still count all the delicious things you have eaten and drunk, and all the epic things you have seen and done, two weeks down the track, we commend you. Now’s the time to re-live them with friends and family back at home.